The Orizuru Tower in Hiroshima is not off the beaten path at all, but rather in the heart of Hiroshima just steps away from the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome Memorial and Hiroshima Peace Park. However, its a hidden gem of Japan in that most visitors coming to Hiroshima focus on the Peace Park or Miyajima Island with its impressive floating tori gate, thus overlooking it. But if you’re visiting Hiroshima, we highly recommend checking out Orizuru Tower.
The tower offers a number of things to enjoy including one of the more unique observation platforms you’ll find anywhere. Throughout Japan, nearly every large city has its own observation platform or deck situated on top of a high rise hotel or building. The observation platform at Orizuru Tower isn’t high. Its only twelve floors up, but the manner in which it was designed is unlike any other we’ve visited, plus it is the only observation deck having a direct view of the Atomic Bomb Dome just a couple hundred feet away. Its simply stunning.
You can reach the top via the customary elevator, or you can walk nine of the floors on the open air, covered ramp called the “Spiral Slope” that winds its way up the side of the building. It provides a unique perspective of the city as you climb higher and higher on this gently inclined ramp. Along the way, the inner wall of the slope has been painted by several different artists depicting scenes of Hiroshima or themes related to overcoming adversity and war titled the “2045 Nine Hopes” recognizing the 100th anniversary of the atomic bomb drop coming up in 2045.
Once at the top, you will step out onto the expansive covered observation deck with its gently sloping floor leading to the edge of the building. From the center of the deck, you have a sweeping view to all points and with a little bit of mirrored trickery, you have the feeling of having a 360 degree view. Its an amazing sight to see. There is no glass and the primary finish material is wood which in the early evening is illuminated with a soft glow. There is a very thin, almost invisible wire mesh at the edge from top to bottom to prevent things and people from going over, but that does not take away from the majestic scene at all. By being an open air platform, you feel the constant breeze on your face.
After taking in the view, you can walk down one flight of the ramp to another interior exhibition hall that has high tech displays pertaining to the history of Hiroshima and of course the atomic bomb drop. Even at this level, you have expansive views of the city, only this time, behind floor to ceiling glass windows in a climate controlled environment, which means you can enjoy the view any season. There are interactive exhibits for young and old alike and the signature activity is that of making paper cranes or Japanese origami called Orizuru. This is a learned skill set and in this particular case, the crane is the finished product. Once you’ve finished your Orizuru, you can step onto a narrow glass floored alcove on the ninth floor that is enclosed by a glass wall all the way to the street below. This is the Orizuru Wall. Visitors drop their paper cranes down into this cavity and watch them spin down, gently resting on those that have been dropped before. The Orizuru Wall is visible from outside the building and is illuminated at night. The goal is to fill the entire wall with paper cranes as a memorial to those who died in the atomic bomb drop.
When you’re ready to leave, you again have three options, not just the two that brought you to the top. You can take the elevator down in customary fashion, or you can retrace your steps down the Spiral Slope at your leisure, or you can take the unique feature called the “Cool Cool” slide.
Right in the middle of the slope is a stainless steel slide which you can experience from the ninth floor all the way to the bottom. At the top, you are given a helmet and slide blanket to sit on which allows you to quickly slide from floor to floor. You can get off at every floor if you wish, or you can keep on going. Its an unexpected bit of fun in what could otherwise be a very somber place.
So while in Hiroshima, you will definitely want to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and nearby Miyajima Island. But don’t forget to visit Orizuru Tower. It’s a delightful way to experience Hiroshima that is unique in all of Japan.
